Jina Kanchi Jain Math, Melsithamur, is a Jain Matha that is located near Gingee.It is the primary religious center of the Tamil Jain community. It is headed by the primary religious head of this community, Bhattaraka Laxmisena Swami
Shrine’s History
The Villupuram area has been an important centre of Jainism since ancient times. Historically, there was a Jain Math at Kanchipuram but it was shifted to its current location here. Venkatappa Nayak is said to have given permission during his reign to build this Sittamur Jain Temple. Later, in 1860 CE, a Jain official in the Madras Provincial Services, Sri Baliah, dismantled several stone pieces including the great stone elephants from the Gingee Venkataramana Temple, to make edifices in the Sittamur Jain temple. Among them the great stone elephants placed at the foot of the Termutti, are noteworthy.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
There are two temples and one of them is dedicated to Parshvanatha. The other temple is dedicated to Malinatha and it was originally a boulder containing rock-cut images of Bahubali, Parsvanatha, Adinatha, Mahavira and Ambika yakshi. These images were carved in the 9th century CE. Parshvanatha temple or Raja Gopuram is a seven storeyed tower with a total height of more than 70 feet.Images of tirthankaras are carved on temple walls.The main idol of Parsvanatha temple is a black coloured 14 feet idol of Parsvanatha in Padmasan posture. The 52 feet manastambha in the temple is a monolith. Malinatha Temple is also known as Thiruvooram Palli or Kattam Palli. The carvings of Tirtankaras Bahubali, Parshvanatha, Adinath bagavan, Mahavira and Yakshi Dharma Devi belonging to the 7th century sculptured on a single rock here is a testimony to the workmanship of those days.
By Road
The nearest Bus stop is Gingee
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Puducherry Train Station.
By Air
The nearest airport is Chennai international airport
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Mahavir Jayanti